Illuminated safety pouch

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a device for enhancing the illumination of an individual during low ambient light periods. This invention employs the use of a light emitting or chemiluminescent source that can be affixed to an individual or affixed to an item in possession by the individual.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention pertains to an illuminated safety device. In particular, this illuminated safety device is meant to illuminate an individual during the evening hours of the day.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There have been various attempts to enhance the visibility of an individual at night. Some of these attempts have included affixing reflective devices onto pieces of clothing. These reflective devices operate by reflecting light received from a source other than the individual, such as an automobile. This reflected light serves to alert others to the presence of the individual who dawns such a reflective device.

[0003] There are other devices that emit light independent of another light source. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,071 discloses a battery powered lantern that is meant to be used during halloween. The outer shell of the device depicts a jack-o-lantern. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,440 which discloses a lunch pail wherein the lunch pail box includes an upper housing pivotly mounted to a lower housing with an illumination chamber positioned on the top wall of the upper housing.

[0004] Dalgleish in U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,054 teaches an illuminated bag having an open end and a closed end. A transparent pouch is associated with the closed end that contains a chemiluminescent wand. This transparent pouch is aligned substantially parallel with the closed end. The chemiluminescent wand serves to enhance the visibility of an individual at night.

[0005] There are other disclosures related to illuminated bags. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4, 926,296, issued to Blume et al, teach an illuminated halloween bag having a transparent portion. Light bulbs are connected to the interior of the bag's front panel. When the light bulbs are connected to an energy source, they emit light that passes through the transparent front panel.

[0006] There currently exists a need to provide an efficient device which emits light independent of any other light source that can be worn by an individual or is affixed to an item carried by or attached to the user such that the visibility of the individual is enhanced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention pertains to a device for enhancing the visibility of an individual. In particular, this invention employs the use of a light emitting or chemiluminescent source that enhances the visibility of an individual during night.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a pouch with a chemiluminescent source is provided. This pouch has an opening disposed therein to allow the placement of the chemiluminescent source within the pouch. In a particular aspect of the invention, the pouch has a flap which when in a first position exposes an entrance to the pouch via the opening, and in a second position, the flap coves the entrance to the pouch. This flap can be securely fastened when covering the entrance to the pouch by any means known to those skilled in the art, such as the use of velcro, sewing, or a press fit snap.

[0009] The pouch can have any geometrical configuration, for example, it can be circular, triangular, rectangular or alike. It can comprise elastic or inelastic material, or a combination thereof. The material is preferably transparent.

[0010] In the present embodiment, the pouch can be affixed to an object. That object can be animate or inanimate. For example, the pouch of the present invention can be affixed to an individual. Moreover, the pouch can be affixed to an item of clothing worn by an individual such as a bike helmet or outerwear clothing like a vest, jacket and alike. Additionally, the pouch can be affixed to an item such as a bag. The means for such affixation include methods well known in the art.

[0011] In another embodiment, a bag comprising a pouch having a chemiluminescent source therein is provided. The bag has a first open end and a second closed end. Additionally, the bag has at least four panels that extend from the first end to the second end. An end panel defines the second closed end. The panels are sealed in such a manner so as to define an interior chamber of the bag. Preferably, at least one panel comprises a transparent portion. In this embodiment, the pouch containing a chemiluminescent source is disposed within the interior chamber of the bag adjacent to the transparent portion of a panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention pertains to a device for enhancing the illumination of an individual during low ambient light periods. This invention employs the use of a light emitting or chemiluminescent source that can be affixed to an individual or affixed to an item in possession by an individual.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a pouch with a chemiluminescent source is provided. This pouch has an opening disposed therein to allow the placement of the chemiluminescent source within the pouch. In a particular aspect of the invention, the pouch has a flap which when in a first position exposes an entrance to the pouch via the opening, and in a second position, the flap covers the entrance to the pouch. This flap can be securely fastened in the second position when covering the entrance to the pouch by any means known to those skilled in the art, such as the use of velcro or a press fit snap.

[0015] The pouch can have any geometrical configuration, for example, it can be circular, triangular, rectangular or alike. It can comprise elastic or inelastic material, or a combination thereof. The material is preferably transparent.

[0016] In the present embodiment, the pouch can be affixed to an object. That object can be animate or inanimate. For example, the pouch of the present invention can be affixed to an individual. The pouch can have one or more straps attached to it or that runs through slits made within the pouch. The strap can be used to affix the pouch to the object. For example, the strap can affix the chemiluminescent pouch to an extremity of the individual such as the humerous of the arm. Moreover, the pouch can be affixed to an item of clothing worn by an individual. The pouch can be sewn to the item of clothing or attached via conventional means known to those skilled in the art. Examples of such conventional means include, but is not limited to, velcro, snap-fastening, and alike. Additionally, the pouch can be affixed to an item possessed by an individual, such as a bag. The means for such affixation include methods well known in the art, such as those methods articulated above including glue-fixation, heat seal, or stitch.

[0017] In another embodiment, a bag comprising a pouch having a chemiluminescent source therein is provided. See FIG. 1. The bag 10 has a first end 14 and a second end 16. The first end 14 is preferably open. The second end 16 is preferably sealed. Additionally, the bag has one or more side panels 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 that extend from the first end 14 to the second end 16. A bottom panel 26 defines the second sealed end 16. The remaining panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 are sealed in such a manner so as to define an interior chamber 28 of the bag 10. Preferably, at least one side panel comprises a transparent portion 12. This transparent portion 12 can be aligned anywhere along the side panel. The transparent portion 12 can have any geometry including, but not limited to, circular, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, or alike. In one aspect this embodiment, a pouch is disposed within the interior chamber 28 adjacent to the transparent portion 12. In this aspect, the pouch contains a chemiluminescent source disposed within the pouch. Alternatively, the pouch can be disposed on an exterior surface of one or more side panels. The chemiluminescent source includes, but is not limited to, cyalume® containing shapes, wands, pellets, or sticks. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pouch having a chemiluminescent source disposed within said pouch, said pouch comprising an open first end and a sealed second, and one or more side panels, wherein at least one side panel comprises a transparent portion, and wherein said chemiluminescent source is disposed adjacent to said transparent portion.
 2. The pouch of claim 1, wherein said chemiluminscent source is selected from cyalume containing shapes.
 3. The pouch of claim 1, wherein said pouch comprises an elastic or inelastic material, or a combination thereof.
 4. The pouch of claim 1, wherein said pouch is affixed to an animate or inanimate object.
 5. The pouch of claim 4, wherein said animate object is a human being.
 6. The pouch of claim 4, wherein said inanimate object is a bag, bike helmet, or article of outerwear clothing.
 7. A bag with a pouch affixed thereto, wherein a chemiluminescent source is disposed within said pouch, said bag comprising an open first end, a sealed second ends, and one or more side panels, wherein at least one said one or more side panels has at least one transparent portion.
 8. The bag of claim 7, wherein said pouch is disposed adjacent to said transparent portion.
 9. The bag of claim 7, wherein said transparent portion has a circular geometry.
 10. The bag of claim 7, wherein said transparent portion has a polygonal geometry.
 11. The bag of claim 7, wherein said pouch is affixed to said bag by heat seal, glue, staple, velcro or stitch. 